Oct 13, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MBA Program for Working Professionals


Each of the four MBA programs for working professionals is designed to serve the needs of a different student group. The programs share a common course structure of 36 credit hours of classroom learning (BUAD 551 , BUAD 552 , BUAD 553 ) and 9 credit hours of projects applied within the student’s business organization (BUAD 561 , BUAD 562  and BUAD 563 ). Students carry a full, 15 credit-hour load each semester. In each program, all participants begin and complete the program together.

The courses are functionally integrated, and the broad curriculum objectives are similar in each of the MBA programs for working professionals. All are oriented toward applied learning and are highly interactive, making extensive use of experiential learning techniques. Emphasis and depth of subject material within the curriculum varies somewhat from program to program depending on the intended student group. All programs result in the same Master of Business Administration degree as the fulltime MBA.

Admission
Primary consideration is given to the applicant’s professional achievements and recommendations from the applicant’s organization. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate Council and submit transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants may need to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) (see specific program descriptions). No cut-off score exists for either grade point averages or GMAT scores; however, admission is competitive, and applicants will be evaluated on their ability to operate on a par with other high achieving participants. Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless they are United States citizens or have earned a degree from an accredited United States college or university within the past two years. A minimum TOEFL score of 213 on the computer-based test, 550 on the paper test, or 80 on the Internet-based Test is required for admission to graduate study.

Prerequisites
Although there are no specific course prerequisites for admission, undergraduate studies and professional experience should demonstrate ability with both qualitative and quantitative work.

Transfer Credit
Because of the integrated nature of the course delivery for the MBA programs for working professionals, no credit hours may be transferred as substitutes for program curriculum.

Other Requirements
Other requirements are the same as those for the full-time MBA program.

Aerospace & Defense MBA


The Aerospace and Defense MBA is provided for a national audience of professionals from defense and commercial aerospace organizations who have five years of work experience. The emphasis in this program is providing a solid grounding in the broad range of business functions. However, much of this coverage will be delivered within the context of the aerospace and defense industry. Beyond a basic grounding in business fundamentals, this program will offer advanced concepts especially relevant to managing complex value streams. Advanced coverage and emphasis will be given to value stream integration, lean manufacturing, and industrial statistics in particular. This mix of topical coverage is ideal for engineers and others with technical backgrounds that are transitioning into program management where business and leadership skills are critical.

The program starts each spring semester (January) and is completed in three consecutive semesters spread over twelve months. Classes are held during six residency periods, lasting from nine days each. Between residency periods, normal course work continues with bi-weekly distance learning through live, internet cyber classes. Additional graded work includes a number of large-scale projects completed under faculty supervision, resulting in significant written reports and oral presentations.

Applications to this program are accepted for a spring entry only. The early application deadline is August 15, and the final application deadline is October 1 of each year. The GMAT may be waived for applicants with 5 or more years of professional work experience or a graduate degree.

The program will not be offered in those years in which the enrollment is insufficient.

Additional information on the Aerospace and Defense MBA can be found at www.emba.utk.edu.

Physician Executive MBA


The Physician Executive MBA is provided for an international audience of physicians. The students for whom this program is designed have an MD, MBBS, or DO degree with five or more years of work experience. The curriculum objectives are the same as those for the Executive MBA, but in the Physician Executive MBA, many of the functional skills are taught in the context of the health care industry with specialized content related to the health care environment. The Physician Executive MBA is the right choice for physicians who want to have a voice in the health care industry, in their own careers, and are seeking a program that allows them to continue their practice while earning their MBA degree.

The Physician Executive MBA is three consecutive semesters completed in twelve months. The class meets in Knoxville for week-long residence periods in January, April, August and December. Between residence periods, live distance learning classes are held each Saturday morning, and there are asynchronous internet assignments.

Applications are accepted for January entry only. Applications are accepted through the year. The final application deadline is November 1. Applicants to the Physician Executive MBA are not required to take the GMAT.

Additional information on the Physician Executive MBA can be found at www.pemba.utk.edu.

Professional MBA


The weekend Professional MBA is provided for fully employed professionals within commuting distance of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and who have a minimum of five years of work experience. The emphasis in this program is to provide a good grounding in the quantitative and qualitative tools of various business functions and a good basis in strategic thinking. Learning is expanded through applying these tools within the student’s own organization through a structured project each semester. The Professional MBA is the right choice for individuals who wish to enhance their position within their organization by broadening their business knowledge beyond the functional area in which they are currently employed.

The Professional MBA program is three consecutive semesters completed in sixteen months. Classes meet approximately three Saturdays per month and via live, distance learning classes on periodic Tuesday evenings. The program begins in August with an intensive week of classes; then continues with the weekend format. The final fall semester culminates with a week-long marketplace simulation. The GMAT may be waived for applicants with 10 or more years of professional work experience or a graduate degree.

Additional information on the Professional MBA program can be found at www.emba.utk.edu.

Executive MBA


The Executive MBA is provided for a national audience of managers holding middle- and upper-level positions in organizations that support their attainment of an MBA degree. The students for whom this program is designed have ten or more years of work experience and are currently in management positions. Typical students bring a greater knowledge of business fundamentals than is true of other MBA programs. The Executive MBA places considerable emphasis on global business and on individual skills of leadership. The program also has a heavy emphasis on strategic thinking and leading-edge management concepts. The Executive MBA is the right choice for individuals who are in positions of broad responsibility or who have been designated to fulfill such roles within their organizations in the future.

The Executive MBA is three consecutive semesters completed in twelve months. The class meets in Knoxville for 14-day residence periods once per quarter starting in January and ending in December. The spring residence period is a global business seminar and is held in South America, Asia or Europe. Off-campus work includes distance-learning classes and requires substantial and regular contact with faculty and other participants. The project work in the Executive MBA is a large-scale management project running throughout the year. Students work with managers in their own organizations to choose a project of significant scale and scope. Each project has a faculty advisor.

Applications are accepted for January entry only. The early application deadline is June 1, and the final application deadline is September 15. The GMAT may be waived depending on work experience. Students will receive materials for study in mid-November preceding the January start date.

Additional information on the Executive MBA can be found at www.emba.utk.edu.